Church of Guadalupe--page 2 (of three pages)

begun 1694; completed in 18th century

The figural panels in the facade represent the four apparitions of the Virgin while other panels depict symbols of her: sun, moon, roses, a well.

Latin inscriptions beneath the pictures record the words of Pope Benedict XIV when he was told of these apparitions: "Non fecit taliter omni nationi." The Pope's words, from Psalm 147:20, are translated as "God has done nothing like it for any other nation," a recognition that Mexico was uniquely blessed; the Pope then declared Our Lady of Guadalupe patron of what was then called New Spain.

The panel on the right depicts Juan Diego's return to Bishop Zumarraga with him the sign the Bishop had asked for - roses that he had picked high on the hilltop of Tepeyac. He unfolded his white cloth, where he had the flowers, which fell to the floor and suddenly appeared the drawing of the Virgin, in the manner as She is now depicted as the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Symbols of the Virgin; caryatids in tile at the base of the blue and white tile border